Part 19 (1/2)

They are long-lived, many of their members having lived to past ninety.

They have one now aged ninety-eight years.

SHAKER LITERATURE, SPIRITUALISM, ETC.

”It should be distinctly understood that special inspired gifts have not ceased, but still continue among this people:” so reads a brief note to the Preface of ”Christ's First and Second Appearing,” the edition of 1854.

In the ”Testimonies concerning the Character and Ministry of Mother Ann Lee,” a considerable number of her followers who had known her personally, being her contemporaries, relate particulars of her teaching and conduct, and not a few give instances of so-called miraculous cures of diseases or injuries, performed by her upon themselves or others.

The hymns or ”spiritual songs” they sing are said by the Shakers to be brought to them, almost without exception, from the ”spirit-land;” and the airs to which these songs are sung are believed to come from the same source. There are, however, two collections of Hymns, to most of whose contents this origin is not attributed, though even in these some of the hymns purport to have been ”given by inspiration.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: A SHAKER SCHOOL]

[Ill.u.s.tration: SHAKER MUSIC HALL]

In the older of these collections, ”A Selection of Hymns and Poems for the Use of Believers,” printed at Watervliet, in Ohio, 1833, one can trace some of the earlier trials of the societies, and the evils they had to contend with within themselves. The Western societies, for instance, appear to have early opposed the drinking of intoxicating beverages. Here is a rhyme, dated 1817, which appeals to the members in the cause of total abstinence:

”From all intoxicating drink Ancient Believers did abstain; Then say, good brethren, do you think That such a cross was all in vain?

”Inebriation, we allow, First paved the way for am'rous deeds; Then why should poisonous spirits now Be ranked among our common needs?

”As an apothecary drug, Its wondrous virtues some will plead; And hence we find the stupid _Slug_ A morning dram does often need.

”Fatigue or want of appet.i.te At noon will crave a little more, And so the same complaints at night Are just as urgent as before.

”By want of sleep, and this and that, His thirst for liquor is increased; Till he becomes a bloated sot-- The very scarlet-colored beast.

”Why, then, should any soul insist On such pernicious, pois'nous stuff?

Malignant _spirits_, you're dismissed!

You have possessed us long enough.”

As a note to this temperance rhyme, stands the following:

”CH. RULE.--All spirituous liquors should be kept under care of the nurses, that no drams in any case whatever should be dispensed to persons in common health, and that frivolous excuses of being unwell should not be admitted. Union Village, 1826.”

”Slug,” in the third of the preceding verses, seems to have been a cant term among the early Shakers for a sluggard and selfish fellow, a kind of creature they have pretty thoroughly extirpated; and presumably by such free speech as is used in the following amusing rhymes:

”The depth of language I have dug To show the meaning of a Slug; And must conclude, upon the whole, It means a stupid, lifeless soul, Whose object is to live at ease, And his own carnal nature please; Who always has some selfish quirk, In sleeping, eating, and at work.

”A lazy fellow it implies, Who in the morning hates to rise; When all the rest are up at four, He wants to sleep a little more.

When others into meeting swarm, He keeps his nest so good and warm, That sometimes when the sisters come To make the beds and sweep the room, Who do they find wrap'd up so snug?

Ah! who is it but Mr. Slug.

”A little cold or aching head Will send him grunting to his bed, And he'll pretend he's sick or sore, Just that he may indulge the more.

Nor would it feel much like a crime If he should sleep one half his time.

”When he gets up, before he's dress'd He's so fatigued he has to rest; And half an hour he'll keep his chair Before he takes the morning air.

He'll sit and smoke in calm repose Until the trump for breakfast blows-- His breakfast-time at length is past, And he must wait another blast; So at the sound of the last sh.e.l.l, He takes his seat and all is well.”